The Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) and the Lagos State Diaspora Agency (LASDA) have unveiled a strategic partnership to document Lagosians living abroad through a digital ID ecosystem.

Mrs Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, General Manager of LASRRA, and Mr Jermaine Sanwo-Olu, General Manager of LASDA, are leading the charge in what is being described as a significant move toward inclusive and data-driven governance.

The collaboration is forming a key part of what the state government describes as its “vision for a digitally inclusive Lagos,” and is enabling the creation of a comprehensive database of Lagosians abroad – a move that is allowing state agencies to plan better, serve smarter and connect more meaningfully with their diaspora.

“This collaboration will enable the State to better plan for the needs of its global residents, promote diaspora participation in governance, and enhance access to state-driven programmes and services,” Mrs Adebiyi-Abiola says during the announcement meeting held at LASRRA’s headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja.

Under the initiative, LASRRA and LASDA are deploying digital outreach programmes, hosting town hall meetings, and launching targeted awareness campaigns designed to bring Lagos residents abroad into the state’s growing digital identification system. Those who register will receive a unique identification number and gain increased access to government platforms and services.

“The initiative seeks to integrate Lagos residents in the diaspora into the Lagos State’s data ecosystem through LASRRA’s innovative identification and registration platform,” Mrs Adebiyi-Abiola explains. She also underlines the importance of accurate data and identity verification, noting that “diaspora citizens are not just ambassadors of Lagos around the world – they are investors, innovators and change makers.”

Mr Sanwo-Olu of LASDA echoes her sentiments, calling the move “a bold step” that strengthens the state’s relationship with its global population. “With this partnership, we are taking a bold step to formally recognise and include them in our systems, ensuring they are not left behind in our plans for a greater Lagos,” he says.

According to him, the synergy is crucial to “give diaspora residents a sense of belonging and ease of doing business,” while also harnessing the diaspora’s contributions to economic growth, cultural exchange and community development.

Behind the scenes, ICT experts from both agencies are said to be working on how to streamline the digital documentation exercise. The inter-agency collaboration aims to improve not just visibility but utility—making sure diaspora Lagosians are seen, heard, and included in the digital economy of their home state.

The initiative, the agencies say, which aligns with the broader goals of the “Greater Lagos” vision, is demonstrating how data, technology and human connection are merging to redefine governance for a mobile, global citizenry.

By integrating Lagosians abroad into the state’s digital records, LASRRA and LASDA say they are not only enhancing public service delivery, but also showcasing a forward-thinking governance model rooted in technology, innovation, and inclusiveness.